Over the next several weeks, we are going to offer insight to help make your next residential painting project go a little smoother. This week: prep-work.
Over the next several weeks, we are going to offer a little insight to help make your next residential painting project go a little smoother. Last week, we outlined the many different kinds of paint to help you better match your paint to its desired use. This week, we are going to touch on prep-work. After all, the devil is in the details, as they say.
Week 2: The Preparation
Once you’ve chosen the right paint and picked out your colors, it is time to make sure Y-O-U are ready to begin the project.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
There are a few tools you will need, other than paint, brushes, and rollers. The essentials include:
- Painter’s Tape: First and foremost, you will need to properly tape the room to prep it for paint. Be extremely careful during this step. Good tape work is crucial for clean lines and a good paint job.
- Drop Cloths: You will also need at least one drop cloth – ideally more – to cover your flooring, furniture, and other items that could be easily damaged by falling paint splatter.
- Screwdriver or Paint Key: You will need a paint key or a flathead screwdriver in order to open the can of paint.
- Paint Stirrer: You need to properly stir paint before painting. This ensures proper color consistency throughout. Fortunately, paint stirrers tend to be free at most home improvement stores.
- Roller Trays: If you are using a roller (more on that later), you will need a roller tray to apply paint to the roller.
Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is crucial when painting interiors.
- Repair Damage: Using putty and a putty knife, fill in and sand any imperfections, such as holes and cracks, until the compound is flush with the surface. Because patching compound shrinks when it dries, it is often necessary to apply the compound a second time after the first coat has dried. This will ensure a smooth paint job.
- Chipping or Cracked Paint: Be sure to remove any cracked or peeling paint. You can use a putty knife to chip away old paint and use sandpaper to smooth the area.
- Cleaning: Be sure to wipe walls clean of any debris, dirt, or dust. Surface dirt can cause poor adhesion.
Paint Brush or Paint Roller?
After you have prepared the surface to paint, you just have one more decision to make: brush or roller? This depends heavily on the type of paint you are using and the size of the surface to be painted.
- Paint Brush: Brushes are ideal for cutting in, windows, baseboard, and intricate trim. Brushes are also better suited for curved surfaces. The type of paint you are using will determine the type of burhs you need.
- Paint Roller: Rollers are ideal for large, flat areas, such as walls and ceilings. Rollers can be used to apply both latex and oil-based paints and work with both gloss and semi-gloss coatings.
Leave the Painting to the Residential Painting Experts
Albaugh & Sons is a family business that takes pride in the services we provide for our customers. Did we mention that we also provide interior and exterior residential painting services performed by experienced professionals? We prepare each site before we even open a can of paint, and when we’re finished, you’ll never know we were there – except for the fresh coat of paint on your walls.
Receive a FREE Estimate!
If you are looking for a Residential Painting Contractor in Frederick, you’ve come to the right place! Please contact Albaugh & Sons at 301-964-9379. We are based in Frederick, Maryland and service all of Frederick County and parts of Washington and Carroll counties.